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Two arrested in Tuesday homicide

Patrick Berrane, 21, have been charged in the death of 32-year-old Hoyt Birge in what Leon County Sheriff’s Office investigators say was a deliberate killing. Berrane is charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, robbery carjacking, possession of a weapon during the commission of a felony and false imprisonment.(Photo: Leon County Jail)

Two men have been charged with the murder of a man found dead in the trunk of a car at a student apartment complex Tuesday morning.

Patrick Berrane, 21, and Page Briggs, 33, have been charged in the death of 32-year-old Hoyt Birge in what Leon County Sheriff’s Office investigators say was a deliberate killing.

Berrane is charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, robbery/carjacking, possession of a weapon during the commission of a felony and false imprisonment.

Briggs is charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment and commission of a crime wearing a bulletproof vest.

LCSO is still seeking other people they say may have been involved in Birge’s death. Lt. Grady Jordan said investigators anticipated other arrests in the case but were still working to make contact with other suspects.

Birge and a friend, described by investigators in court records as 'Peter', went to Briggs’ home in the 2600 block of Misson Road late Monday morning.

Patrick Berrane, 21, and Page Briggs, 33, have been charged in the death of 32-year-old Hoyt Birge in what Leon County Sheriff’s Office investigators say was a deliberate killing. Briggs is charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment and commission of a crime wearing a bulletproof vest.(Photo: Leon County Jail)

Berrane and Briggs believed Birge was going to rob them, according to court records.

Once there, four men came from a back room brandishing guns. Birge fought back and he and his friend were told to lie on the floor.

Berrane, when interviewed by investigators, said he and Briggs planned on hog-tying Birge “before he got to Page(Briggs),” court records say.

Birge was hit in the face with a hammer while he lay on the ground and reached for Berrane’s rifle, which discharged. Birge’s body was wrapped in plastic and put into the trunk of Peter’s mother's car – which would later be found parked at the U Club apartment complex on Woodward Avenue.

Berrane and another suspect drove the Toyota Camry to several locations, taking Peter to his house where they told him to get money and come back. It was then Peter alerted LCSO to the shooting at about 3:30 a.m.

Detectives found the car under a cover, which Berrane said he’d purchased to conceal it after Birge was killed. They noticed blood on the rear bumper of the car and forced the trunk open.

CLOSE

LCSO investigating suspicious death

Investigators learned Berrane’s girlfriend lived in the apartment complex. He was located during a search of her apartment. Investigators found ammunition, a box for the car cover as well as the license plate and registration for the car in which Birge’s body was found.

Anyone with information is asked to call LCSO at (850) 606-3400.

Contact Karl Etters at ketters@tallahassee.com or @KarlEtters on Twitter.